Over the weekend CWU softball finished the 19th annual Tournament of Champions with a 3-2 record. The tournament was held in Turlock, California hosted by Stanislaus State University. 

On Friday, April 1, the tournament started with a 2-1 win over San Francisco State University (SFSU). Senior pitcher Rhaney Harris (7-7) pitched all seven innings holding SFSU to one run on five hits and striking out three.

The Wildcat’s offense had 10 hits and multiple chances to score, but were unable to capitalize until the bottom of the seventh. After two straight flyouts to begin the inning junior outfielder Allie Theissen was able to reach on an error by SFSU second baseman. 

Freshman utility player Riana Abeshima came in to pinch run for Theissen and was able to make it to third on a double hit by sophomore utility player Brooke Jordan. Senior outfielder Keegan Wise came into pinch run and both her and Abeshmia came in to score the tying and winning runs on a two run single by junior catcher Alyssa Benthagen. 

Following the walk-off, CWU wasn’t able to ride the momentum in the second game on friday, losing 1-0 to Biola University.

Senior pitcher Isabel Womack (5-5) pitched all six innings giving up just one run on three hits while striking out four. However, Biola University pitching held CWU to five hits while striking out eight.

The Wildcats had a chance in the second with a two out double by sophomore infielder Makenna King, but sophomore outfielder Jillian Hampson struck out to end the threat. 

CWU had another chance in the fifth when with two outs a single and a walk put runners on first and second. However, Theissen fouled out to the left fielder to end the inning.

Biola scored their run in the bottom of the fifth when after two singles put runners on first and third, a fielder’s choice RBI allowed the go ahead run to score.

On day two of the tournament, the Wildcats once again won one and lost one. In the first game they were able to beat Azusa Pacific University (APU) 4-2.    

Harris once again pitched the entire game giving up six hits and two runs while walking one and striking out two. She got a little help from her bats this time around. 

In the third inning, freshman outfielder Karsyn Decker started the inning with a single to left field. She then stole second and after a walk by junior infielder Harlee Carpenter advanced to third on a bunt single by Theissen.  

After a fielder’s choice that had Decker thrown out at home and a foul out that couldn’t advance the runners, a wild pitch allowed Carpenter to score the first run of the game. 

CWU scored again in the fourth. After two straight groundouts, sophomore infielder Taylor Kai hit a single. After Decker was safe because of an error that put runners on first and second, Carpenter hit them both home to give CWU a 3-0 lead. 

It remained that way until the seventh when after two straight groundouts, Thiessen hit a double. Sophomore utility player Brooke Jordan reached on an error which allowed Theissen to score and give CWU a 4-0 lead going to the bottom of the seventh. 

Harris, who had been cruising throughout the game, struggled in the seventh giving up two runs and had the winning run at the plate. Harris collected herself and got the last two hitters to line out and strikeout respectively to preserve the 4-2 win. 

The Wildcats went on to lose 7-5 to Dominican University (DU) to end the second day of the tournament. CWU took a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two run single by junior infielder Myiah Seaton. 

DU tied it in the third due to a throwing error by Womack that allowed two runs to score. DU would then grab a 4-2 lead in the fifth thanks to a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. 

The Wildcats cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth. After two straight outs Theissen doubled and scored on a double by Jordan to cut the lead to 4-3. 

CWU would take the lead in the sixth. After a single and a sacrifice bunt put the tying run at second base, freshman utility player Riana Abeshima reached on a throwing error which allowed the tying run to score. She would then score the go ahead run on a single by King to give a 5-4 lead going to the top of the seventh. 

That’s when everything fell apart. After a strikeout of the leadoff batter DU got back to back singles to put runners on first and second. The next hitter hit a three run home run to give DU a 7-5 lead. CWU couldn’t make the comeback and lost 7-5.

CWU played their final game of the tournament on Sunday in which they beat California State University, East Bay  5-1.

Harris (9-7) once again through a complete game allowing one run on nine hits while walking one and striking out five.

The Wildcats got on the board in the first when Carpenter reached base on the very rare catcher interference. After a fielder’s choice and two errors had the bases loaded with two outs King came through with an RBI single to put CWU up 1-0.

CWU added to their lead in fifth. After three straight bunt singles loaded the bases, Benthagen hit a sacrifice fly to score Decker from third to make it 2-0. An RBI single from Seaton allowed Carpenter to score to make it 3-0.

CWU put the dagger in this game in the bottom of the sixth when Carpenter hit a two-run triple to make the game 5-0.

Harris allowed one run in the seventh but closed it out for the 5-1 victory.

CWU (15-17) will travel to Saint Martin’s University for a four game series starting on Saturday, April 9.